ProlixocupesNeboiss 1960

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Introduction

Only two extant species of Prolixocupes are known: Prolixocupes latreillei (Solier, 1849) from central Chile and western areas of Argentina close to the Chilean border between 25° and 35° southern latitude, and Prolixocupes lobiceps (Leconte, 1874) from western North America where it was found in a few localities in California and Arizona (USA).

The larvae of both species are unknown. Papp (1961) described an association of P. lobiceps with Plantanus racemosa Nutt. but beyond this nothing is known about the food sources and larval host plants.

Both species were originally described in the genus Cupes. Neboiss (1960) transferred them to his newly established genus Prolixocupes. Atkins (1963) identified Cupes boycei Papp, 1961 as a junior synonym of P. lobiceps.

Characteristics

Both species are of similar size, with P. lobiceps being a little bit smaller (c.10mm long & 3mm wide, P. latreillei is c. 12 mm long & 3 mm wide).

Characteristic features of the genus are the strong, long antennae, which are slightly serrate (more strongly in P. latreillei) and distinctly decrease in diameter from the basal to the distal antennomeres.

Both species also have the typical cupedine dorsal head protuberances, which are very large and bulbous. This feature is distinctly more conspicuous in P. lobiceps than in P. latreillei.

About This Page

Page: Tree of Life
ProlixocupesNeboiss 1960.
Authored by
Thomas Hörnschemeyer.
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